Fuel leak sensor system

Abstract

A fuel leak detector for an aircraft system is shown as comprising a plurality of potential fuel leak sources where leaking fules are routed to a collector through a leak detector associated only with only one of the potential leak sources and the fule leak collector. Each detector permits the flow of leaking fuel into the collector, while at the same time maintaining a visual or other type of indication of the location of the fuel leak. Each detector comprises a small, light weight container which traps up to a predetermined amount of any fluid flowing through it. The level of the trapped fluid is indicated by a float. Fluid in excess of the predetermined amount flows through the container trap and into the collector. The contents of the collector are tested for fuel, and if fuel is detected, the maintenance personnel then search the individual traps for a visual indication of the location of the fuel leak.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a fuel leak detection system having a relatively large number of potential fuel leak sources, the combination comprising: a fuel collector, said collector having means for determining the presence of fuel therein;   fuel sensor lines, said fuel sensor lines connecting said fuel leak sources to said collector; and   a fuel detector in each of said fuel sensor lines, each detector comprising a conduit for conducting fuel from a respective source to said collector, said conduit having trap means for trapping a predetermined quantity of fuel in said conduit, said trap means comprising a transparent cylindrical chamber into which said fuel from said source flows, the bottom of said chamber being closed by a disc, an inner cylinder projecting upward from said disc, said cylinder communicating at its lower end with a sensor line through a central opening in said disc, the upper end of said inner cylinder having an opening at a predetermined height above said disc, whereby the fluid above said height in said chamber flows into said inner cylinder and to said sensor line; and   a float in said chamber indicating the presence of fuel therein by the position of said float in said chamber, the position of said float being visually detectable through said transparent cylindrical chamber.